This is a wonderful book for understanding the art of dramaturgy. It is also very practical in ints approach and very reader friendly. ( )

Ghost Light: An Introductory Handbook for Dramaturgyoffers useful and entertaining answers to the confounding questions: "What, exactly, is dramaturgy, and what does a dramaturg do?" According to Michael Mark Chemers, dramaturgs are the scientists of the theater world--their primary responsibility is to query the creative possibilities in every step of the production process, from play selection to costume design, and then research the various options and find ways to transform that knowledge into useful ideas. To say that dramaturgs are well-rounded is an understatement: those who choose this profession must possess an acute aesthetic sensibility in combination with an extensive knowledge of theater history and practice, world history, and critical theory, and they must be able to collaborate with every member of the creative team and theater administration. Ghost Lightis divided into three sections. Part 1, "Philosophy," describes what dramturgs do, presents a detailed history of dramaturgy, and summarizes many of the critical theories needed to analyze and understand dramatic texts. "Analysis" teaches the two essential skills of a dramaturg: reading and writing. It includes a "12-step program for script analysis" along with suggestions about how to approach various genres and play structures. "Practice," the third part, delves into the relationships that dramaturgs forge and offers useful advice about collaborating with other artists. It also includes ideas for audience outreach initiatives such as marketing and publicity plans, educational programs, talkbacks, blogs, and program notes and lobby displays, all of which are often the responsibility of the dramaturg. Ghost Lightwas written with undergraduate students in mind and is perfectly suited for the classroom (each chapter concludes with a series of practical exercises that can be used as course assignments). However, dramaturgy is a skill that is essential toalltheater practitioners, not just professional or aspiring dramaturgs, makingGhost Lighta valuable addition to all theater libraries.

no one so depressed / down + out as Irish authors @ Irish people
P. 164 — An absence is a presence*
JP Synge wrote Playboy of western world — playwright — + much younger mistress — Molly O'Neil
Historical fiction
P. 159 — Her Son lost in war
* "Those I fight do not hate — those I defend do not love"
P. 160 — People think they have time to rehearse life —
Ghost light — light left on in theatre at night — so ghost can perform own play
Beg of 19th Century — set in Ireland — with Opening of Irish Theatre

Dublin 1907, a city of whispered rumours. A young actress begins an affair with a damaged older man, the leading playwright at the theatre where she works. Rebellious and flirtatious, Molly Allgood is a girl of the inner city tenements, dreaming of stardom in America. She has dozens of admirers but in the backstage of her life there is a secret.